Flexible coupling



Aug. 16, 1949. D. E. TEssr-:NDORF ET A1. 2,479,273

FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed May 23, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1,

ATTORNEY D. E. TEssENDoRF ETAL 2,479,278

FLEXIBLE `COUPLING 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 w .fa 1% fr, M @HMW 9 M w Y www y Aug. 16, 1949;

Filed may 2s, 1945 @RA/fn E Essa/NRP 4A/uwer. J//A/w lNvEN-roR ATTORNEY Peieaied Aug. le, 1949 FLEXIBLE couru-NG Draper E. 'reeeendorf and clarence J. nalin, anrfalo, N. Y.,

assignors to Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation, Harrison, poration of Delaware N. J., a corv Application May 23, 1945,` Serial No.1595l465 4 claim. (cl. s4-1,1)

The present invention relates to power transmitting devices, andmorepartlcularly to a ilexible coupling.

An object of the present invention is to provide I. a flexible coupling for connecting ythe adjacent ends of coactive. shafts. such as a driving vshaft anda driven shaft, wherein novel means are incorporated. for absorbing shocks and vibrations,

and'in which the construction is such as to permit'angular. axial, as well'as limited radial dis-f `placement. of .the shafts with .respect to each other.

With these and other objects in view, as may specifically In the drawings: v c Figure 1 is a view ofthel flexible coupling in association with a driving shaft and 'a drivenshaft.

Figure 2 line 2---2 of Figure 3.

Figure a is a longitudinal sectional view of the f l y a l .-l; i".Atth ametimefthetotal axial length of the coupling. Figure 4 is a sectional view .along the line 4 4 OfFigure 3. l

appear from the accompanying specification, the invention Vconsists of various features of construction and combination of parts. which will be I2 and an integral annular 'flange I2 arranged concentrically of its respective shaft. Each of the flanges I2 -is provided with ajconvex face Il extending 360? about the perimeter ofthe flange and struck on a radius having the axial line of its respective shaft 6 or 1 as its center. The faces I4 are of thev same outside diameter.

ABoth flanges I'i are enclosedvin a housing or retainer I5, which housingcomprises a tubular sec- .tion I6 and end walls I1. The l'end walls I1 are in -the ends of lthe'tubulz'ir section I6 to lie yiiatwise against annularv shoulders I8 in the tubul'arsection. Annular springs I9 bear against the outer faces of the walls Il and are snapped into grooves 20 in the tubularsection I6 to hold the end` walls .in,plaoe. The end walls I1 are of washer-likecontour, with v.central openings 2| therein of such diameters as to freely receive their respective hubs I2 which vproject some distance* beyond 'the vend wallsexteriorly ofthe 'l housing. i z

is a sectional view-taken along 'n the. n v ,v l s permitangular displacement of thel shafts 6 and Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure vijinitjile v,

the other,` respectively, so that the two shafts may shift 'axiallyrel'ativelyto each other or the houslustrating two flexible couplings incorporated therein. Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of two..

flexible coupling units embodying different de'- tails of construction.

'e the facesglllie close to or bear. against theinnerface ofthetubular section Il, the con- Vex or' spherical contours ofthe faces, together with'lthe openin'gsil. permit the bodies III and II ,tov turnortwis't relatively to the housing I5 to 1 withrespect-'to .eachother or -the housing I5.

twofiangesil'isless'than the distance between `r,tlnefeini,-tv'alla-l'1., with-the flanges I: and the'adzjacent-'ends'of 'the shafts .6 and 1 spaced one from n since the housing I5 is free to rock on the faces I4.

trating flexible coupling units embodying changes 1 in construction details.

Figure 9 is a sectional view'taken'along the line.v

9-9 of Figure 8. l y

Referring more particularly tothe drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a flexible coupling 5 interposed between the adjacent ends of a drive shaft 6 and a driven shaft 1 for'drivingly connecting the two shafts, the shaft 6, for example,'beingy operated by. a motor 8 and the shaft 1 comprising a driven element of a speed reducer 9.

. The flexible coupling 5 comprises two connect-` ing bodies I0 and II which are flxedly connected with the adjacent ends of the shafts 6 and 'l. re.- spectivelyneach of which bodies includes a lhub Means for connecting ,the coupling members I0 and I I vso that power maybe-transmitted from one shaft to thefothercomprises a series of ilexible and resilientelements 22.. These elements extend longitudinally of the tubular section I6 adjacentits inner face and are spaced one from the other circumferentially of the flanges I3. The

-elements2-2 may comprise IV-fbelt sections cut to vlengths slightly shorter l than .the .distance between th'e end walls I1." Grooves 23 of the same contour-as the elements!! are provided in the flanges I3. and theelements 22 are lodged in the grooves tov drivingly connect. the two shafts.

While lthe grooves .Hopen through the faces I4 von the-flanges I3.' the tubular jsection I6 covers the grooves and co-act therewith to provide openings of generally*v trapezoidal contour for relength of the elements 22. As will be noted in Figure 4, the grooves 23 are deeper than the thickness of the elements 22 lbut the latter are of such width as normally to cause slight crowding of the elements against the straps 21 and the tubular section I6, with a slight normal space 28 between the elements and the tubular section I6 and a greater normal space 23 between the elements and the bottom faces 30 of the grooves 23. Because of the grooves 23, the peripheral margins of the flanges I3 are divided into a plurality of radial lingers or pressure elements 3I, the circumferential spacing of which issuch as to define the grooves 23 within which the elements 22 are lodged. While the elements 22 nt snugly against the straps 21 and the tubular section I6, the faces 26 of the fingers or pressure elements 3| on the flanges I3 may slide relatively to the straps 21 to accommodate angular or axial displacement of the shafts 6 and 1 with respect to each other.

The straps 21 provide wearing protection for the elements 22, in addition to spreading and distributing the torsional load throughout the full length of the elements when the latter are placed in compression in response to the load effective on the coupling, although the spacing between the flanges I3 places the elements and the straps in shear. Because of the axial uspacing between the flanges I3, both the straps 21 and the elements 22 are caused to flex slightly out of their straight-line contours, which lend additional desirable flexible qualities to the coupling. However, the spacing between the flanges I3 ls such as not to cause excessive bending of the straps 21 and the elements 22, so that both the straps and the elements retain sufficient stiffness to transmit full loads without damage to the parts, but at the same time yielding in a sufdcient degree to aid the resilient properties of the elements in effectively damping torsional vibration. It will thus be seen that the coupling construction is such as to effectively accommodate angular displacement of the shafts 6 and 1, in addition to embodying exible and resilient properties which effectively dampen vibrations. At the same time, the straps 21 cradle the elements 22 and afford good wearing protection therefor, and the flanges I3 may shift freely relatively to the straps to accommodate any axial and radial displacement which might be present, in addition to any shifting made necessary by the angular displacement of the drive and driven shafts. The coupling is of relatively simple and durable construction, and the parts thereof may easily be assembled or taken apart for repair. Furthermore, the V-belt sections 22 are so arranged as to taper radially toward the axes of the respective flanges I3 so that the sections areeasily lodgedv in the grooves 23, and the sections are removable with practically no effort upon removal of the tubular section I6.

Figure illustrates an operating condition wherein the motor 32 is spaced a considerable distance from the speed reducer 33 or other type of driven machine. In the arrangement shown,

'the operating connection 34 includes two flexible coupling units 35 and 36 which are connected with the drive shaft 31 of the motor 32 and the driven shaft 38 of the speed reducer 33, respectively, and the units 35 and 36 are in turn connected one with the other by a shaft' or spool member 39. The shafts 31 and 38 are o'set laterally in Figure 5 but with parallel axes, as an example, since different operating conditions might cause a different relationship between the drive shaft and the driven shaft, as when they lie at an angle to each other.

Referring to Figure 6, the units 35 and 36 each y includes a connecting body 40. The body 40 of the unit 35 is flxedly connected with the drive shaft 31, and the body 46 of the unit 36 is flxedly connected with the driven shaft 38. Both bodies 40 are identical with the bodies lll and II, so that each includes an annular flange 42 which is provided with a convex face 43 extending 360 about the perimeter ofthe flange and struck on a radius having the axial line of its respective shaft 31 or 38 as its center.

Each of the units 35 and 36 also includes a second connecting body 44 which is xedly connected with a shaft 45 of the spool member 39. While the units 35 and 36 are identical in structural detail, the units are reversed in an endwise sense so that the one shaft 45 may be flxedly connected with the two connecting bodies 44. Both connecting bodies 44 are provided with flanges 46,

The flanges 42 and 46 are arranged concentrically of the axes of their respective shafts, and the two flanges in each-of the units 35 and 36 are enclosed in a housing or retainer 41. Each retainer includes an annular flange 48 which is spaced a short distance inwardly of one end of the retainer and against which the associated flange 46 i-s flxedly secured, as by bolts 49, The flanges 42 are spaced from their associated flanges 46 in the same manner as the flanges I3, the chief difference residing in the fact that the retainers 41 are each flxedly connected with one of the enclosed flanges. Thus the shaft 45, the two connecting bodies 44, and the associated retainers 41 define the spool member 39.

An end wall 50 is provided for each retainer 41 adjacent the enclosed flange 42, which end wall is held in place by a spring 5I which is snapped into a groove 52 for holding the end wall against an abutting shoulder 53 formed on the retainer.

In Figures 6 and 7, the flanges 42 and 46 are provided with grooves 54 which are identical with the grooves 23 for accommodating exible and resilient elements 55, the latter comprising sections of V-belt. Thin and flexible metal straps 56 are also interposed between the side face of the elements and the wall faces 51 of the grooves 54, and both the straps and the flexible elements are held in the grooves 54 by the retainer wall 58.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a different form of .construction wherein two flexible coupling units 59 and 60 are employed for transmitting rotary motion from a vdriver to the machine connected therewith. In Figure 8, the units 59 and 60 are of like construction, each including a connecting body 6I and a connecting body 62. The connecting body 6I of the unit 59 is flxedly connected with the drive shaft 63, while the body 6I of the unit 60 is flxedly connected with the driven shaft 64. The connecting bodies 6I are identical with the bodies 40, so that the flange of each body is provided with a convex face 66 which extends 360 about the perimeter of the flange and is erable distances one from the other.

respective shaft 63er 6 4A as its center.

The bodies 62 are similar to the bodies Il and are tlxedly connected with a shaft 61. The bodies 62 have flanges 68 which are spaced short distances axially from their respective flanges 66, and each pair of flanges 65 and 68 is enclosed within a housing or retainer 69. The bodies 62 are flxedly related to the respective retainers 69, as by the threaded connections 10. Lock nuts 1I are threaded upon the bodies 62 for restraining the retainer 69 from accidental rotation. Between the lock nuts 1| and the retainer walls 12 are interposed lock washers 13, the latter having ears 14 which are bent down on the flat faces 15 of the lock nuts 1I and the end walls 12 to key the lock nuts tothe end walls.

The flanges 65 and 68- are providedy with grooves 16 which are identical with the grooves 23 for the reception of flexible and resilient elements 11, the latter comprising sections of V-belt. Flexible metal strips 18 are also interposed between the side walls of the elements 11 and the walls of the grooves 16. Since the retainers 69 extend about the grouped flanges 65 and 68, the elements 11 are held ilrmly in the grooves 16. End walls 19 are associated with the retainers 69 and are held therein by springs 80 which are snapped into grooves 8l in the retainers.

The forms of construction shown 'in Figures through 'l and 8 and 9 operate in the same manner as the form illustrated in Figures 1 through 4, at least so far as angular, axial, and radial displacement ofA the drive and driven shafts are concerned. In the form of Figures 1 through 4, both flanges enclosed within the one retainer are loosely related thereto, while the forms shown in Figures 6 and 8 embody a construction wherein one flange in each retainer is ilxedly connected with that retainer. This arrangement provides a more eflicient construction in cases where the motor and the driven machine are spaced consid- A loose connection such as that shown in Figure 3 is objectionable when employed in pairs in a single operating connection because of the Whipping characteristics of the dual arrangement. Such whipping is entirely eliminated 4in coupling devices such as those illustrated in Figures 6 and 8.

The V-belt sections 22, 55, and 11 are durable and capable of long and hard use in flexible couplings of the types shown. Since a considerable number of the'total V-belts manufactured are defective and therefore represents a loss and increases cost of production, the present invention is ideally suitable for utilizingvthe good portions of defective belts, thereby providing a market for belts which otherwise represents a loss to the belt manufacturer. A V-'belt which is defective throughout only a small distance'v of its total length is entirely unsuitable for belt purposes. Short of major defects throughout the entire length of the belts, itis a relatively easy matter to cut the exible elements or sticks 22, 55, and 11 from the good portions of the'belt.

Obviously, the magnitude of the torque to be transmitted through the couplings will determine the sizeand number of the flexible elementsll, 55, and 11, the diameters of the couplings as a whole, as well as the radial'distances of theelements from the axes of the couplings.

It will be understood that the invention isnot to be limited to the speciilc construction or. arrangement of parts shown. but that they-may be the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flexible coupling. a driving coupling member and a driven coupling member; said coupling members provided with radially extending annular flanges having opposing longitudinal flexible element receiving grooves; said grooves being beveled so that the width of the grooves increases with the radial distance from the axes of said coupling members; flexible elements for transmitting torque from said driving member to said driven member slidably seated' Within said grooves and having. wedge faces substantially parallel to the beveled faces of said grooves; and a -rotatable retainer housing enclosing vsaid flanges for restraining the outward radial movement of said flexible elements due to centrifugal force; each of said flexible elements having width such that it is seated on its Wedge faces with a space between its bottom and the bottom of the groove to accomodate distortion due to axial mlsalignment of said coupling members; said annular flanges having convexly curved outer peripheries so as to permit tilting of said coupling members with respect to said retainer housing.

2. In a flexible coupling, a driving coupling member and a driven coupling member; said coupling members provided with radially extending annular flanges having opposing longitudinal flexible element receiving grooves; said grooves being beveled so that thewidth of the grooves increases with the radial distance from the axes Vof said coupling members; flexible elements for transmitting torque from said driving member to said driven member slidably seated within said grooves and having wedge faces substantially parallel to the beveled faces of said grooves; and a rotatable retainer housing enclosing said flanges for restraining the outward radial movement of said flexible elements due to centrifugal force; each of said flexible elements having width such that it is seated on its wedge faces with a space between its bottom and the bottom of the groove to accommodate distortion due to axial misalignment of said coupling members; one of said annular flanges having a convexly curved outer periphery so as to permit tilting of its coupling member with respect to said retainer housing.

3. In a flexible coupling, a driving coupling member and a driven coupling member; said coupling members provided with radially extending annular flanges having opposing longitudinal flexible element receiving grooves; said grooves being beveled so that the width of the grooves increases with the radial distance from the axes of said coupling members; flexible elements for transmitting torque from said driving member to said driven member slidably seated within said grooves and having wedge faces substantially parallel to the beveled faces of said grooves; flexible wearing straps slidably interposed between the beveled faces of said grooves and the wedge faces of said flexible elements; and a rotatable retainer housing enclosing said flanges for restraining the outward radial movement of said flexible elements due to centrifugal force; each of said flexible elements having width such that it is seated on lits wedge faces with aspace between its bottom and the bottom of the groove to accommodate distortion due to axial misalignmentof said coupling members; said annular vanges having convexly curved outer peripheries widely modined within the invention defined by anaovs 'so as to permit tilting of said coupling members with respect to said retainer-housing.

4. In a ilexible coupling, a driving coupling member and a driven coupling member; said coupling member provided with radially extending annular anges having opposing longitudinal iiexible element receiving grooves; said grooves being beveled so that the width of the grooves increases with the radial distance from the axes of said coupling members; flexible elements for transmitting torque from said driving member to said driving member siidably seated within said grooves and having wedge faces substantially parallel to the beveled i'aces of said grooves; flexible wearing straps slidably interposed between the beveled faces of said grooves and the wedge faces of said flexible elements; and a rotatable retainer housing enclosing said ilanges for restraining the outward radial movement of said iiexible elements due to centrifugal force; each of said ilexible elements having width such that it is seated on its wedge faces with a space between its bottom and the bottom of the groove i to accommodate distortion due to axial misalignment ot said coupling members; one of said annular anges having a convexly curved outer periphery so as to permit tilting of its coupling member with respect to said retainer housing.

DRAPER E. TESBENDORF. CLARENCE J. HAHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are ot record in the 

